Alonso hints at handing Massa podium

Fernando Alonso hinted that he planned to hand Felipe Massa a podium in his last face for Ferrari during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Massa was running fourth in his home race behind team-mate Alonso when he was handed a drive-through penalty for cutting across the pit entry line on more than one occasion. Alonso said he had noticed when the second Ferrari was behind him and thought a podium would have been the fitting way for Massa's spell with the team to end.

"It was a shame that he had this drive through because I think the podium was very close for Felipe today," Alonso said. "When I saw him in fourth I said that this would be very good celebration for him.

"I'm sad for this race but happy for the last four years. He has been an amazing team-mate inside the circuit with very competitive skills and also like a person. We built a friendly relationship in the last four years, spent a lot of time together and we'll see him in the paddock next year with different colours but he will always remain a very good man."

Speaking about his own race, Alonso said he felt Ferrari would have been stronger if the forecast rain had fallen.

"It was a difficult race for everyone. Unfortunately the rain didn't come; I think we were more competitive in wet conditions but it seemed that it was going to rain in any moment but it didn't. So it was a shame for us but at least we are on the podium so we finished the season on a high and hopefully next year we start with a completely new direction and a positive trend and I am looking forward to it."